George Williams to captain England as Brian McDermott admits half-back dilemma

George Williams has been confirmed as England captain for this year’s Rugby League World Cup - with the door left open for up to three more half-backs to force their way into Brian McDermott’s final squad for the tournament Down Under.

The Warrington Wolves skipper has hit the ground running on his return from a serious neck injury that kept him sidelined for four months, with initial fears that it could be season-ending.

Williams is now set to lead Warrington into the play-offs with his sights firmly set on Old Trafford, before leaving the Halliwell Jones Stadium outfit for a second stint in the NRL with the Dolphins.

The Wire take on Hull KR in Saturday’s eliminator. And England head coach McDermott has confirmed that the 31-year-old will remain as international captain following his successful return to action.

“George has been great to speak to,” McDermott said. “I didn’t really know George at all - or many of the squad, to be fair. I’ve only ever shaken their hands after games, and normally shaking George’s hand after his team beat my team when I was at Leeds. We had a horrible record against Wigan in the regular season.

“It’s been really enjoyable getting to know him. He’s keen as anything. He came back from injury early and you could tell, if anybody was going to come back early, it would be him.

“I’m really pleased to see the form that he’s in now, the intensity he’s got. He’s not feathering about on his feet and waiting for the game to come to him, he’s going and getting the game. That’s George Williams all over.

“When he broke into first grade, we all said, ‘Who the hell is this guy?’ because he went and got the game and chased it.

“He’s got a bit stronger and wiser, and his leadership has been really good. The way he speaks in the spine meetings, a bit of maturity he brings. He’ll be my captain, yes.”

However, McDermott is yet to settle on how much cover he wants in the halves, with Jake Connor, Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis among those still in the frame to start, alongside NRL stars Jamie Humphreys and Hugo Savala.

South Sydney Rabbitohs half-back Humphreys recently declared himself eligible for England after spending the early years of his childhood in the northern hemisphere.

He later returned to England in his early teens and was part of the London Broncos’ youth system alongside current international star Kai Pearce-Paul.

McDermott admits he could still yet take two additional half-backs alongside his starting pair, depending on how the make-up of his 23-man squad develops.

“You need some cover in your halves, whether we take a six and a seven to back up the six and seven that I have in mind to start - I’m still not sure,” McDermott explained.

“We need to take another half. But if we take two halves as cover, it has an impact on how many covers we have on outside-backs, what cover we have for back-rowers and other spine members as well.

“Some of that will be to do with form and versatility, as well. If a guy can play in the halves, but also nine, I might favour that as well. I’m unsure yet.

“It’s a difficult one for spine members. I need to see them play in the finals.

“I think everyone understands what pool of players I’m choosing from, but there’s another couple out there that the finals will reveal - can they handle the big occasion and the game with so much in the balance?

“I’ll certainly take one half as back-up, but whether I take two or not is dependent just yet.”